The point is this; as long as you are mindful of the bowler, the match situation and the batsman facing, you don't need to be a natural captain. You just put fielders where the ball is going.

Decision making

This leads on to the next skill: the ability to make a swift, decisive move.

Good captains, according to Mike Brearley, are flexible. They attack a little longer than they think they should, and defend a little later than they think they should. In other words, if you feel a short leg might get you a wicket, throw him in the moment you think it. That's because if you take a ball to decide and the ball pops there, you have lost your chance.

On the other hand, if you want to take him out after it has not worked, leave him there for a few more balls. When it does pop you are a genius (again).

And it's not just about the field. Decisive captains are able to change teams in selection and rearrange the batting order with equal confidence.

Have good bowlers

Finally, the real secret of good captaincy is to have bowlers who can get you 10 (or 20) wickets.

Great captains always have great bowlers. It means your plans are more likely to work because you create more chances. Yes, that's more about luck than captaincy skill, but there is only so much the skipper can do. So the best thing Cooky, or you, can do is find that match-winning spinner.